On Aug 27, 2022 MOHAN Foundation conducted an awareness session on organ donation for NCC Cadets of 2 Delhi BN during Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC) II at NCC Bhawan, Rohini, New Delhi. Dr. Muneet Kaur Sahi, Programme Manager, MOHAN Foundation, NCR was the resource person and Ms. Simran Anand, Programme Officer, MOHAN Foundation accompanied her.

 

Dr. Muneet explained the concept of organ donation with the help of a PowerPoint presentation. She initiated the session by asking, according to them, why are organ transplants needed? She then, discussed with them organs which can be donated after natural death and brain death and asked cadets about their perceptions of donation after death. She also discussed MOHAN Foundation's role and how youth can serve as ambassadors for the cause of organ donation. A short informative film was shown to the audience to explain the concept of "brain death." 

 

The following topics were addressed: 

• Organ donation and its need
• Brain death
• Causes of brain death
• Difference between brain death and coma
• Contraindications to organ donation
• Transplant Law
• Role of MOHAN Foundation
• Organ donation Myths and Facts
• Status of organ donation in India
• When and how does organ donation take place
• Organs that can be donated during life and after death
• Cornea donation

 

The participants were interactive during the presentation and asked many queries. To name a few: 

• Can we, as students, donate organs?
• Can we donate organs after recovery from a disease?
• Can an individual with a history of diabetes donate organs?
• Is asthma a contraindication for organ donation?
• Does being on a ventilator mean brain death? Is directed donation possible in brain death cases?
• Is there enough infrastructure throughout India for organ donation?
• Can a person with a history of psychiatric disorders donate organs?

 

The participants were in the age group of 14–21, i.e., from 8^th class to students in their final year of graduation. Close to 250 cadets attended the session.